A co-educational, non-sectarian, independent college, The Art Institute of New York City began operation with its first class in 1980 as The New York Restaurant School. It operated as an affiliate of the New School for Social Research from its inception until August 1987, at which time it was licensed as an independent institution by the New York State Education Department.

On May 1, 1995, the Board of Regents of the State of New York granted The New York Restaurant School a charter to confer an Associate of Occupational Studies (A.O.S.) degree. One year later, on July 31, 1996, The Art Institutes, a subsidiary of Education Management Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, acquired The New York Restaurant School. The Art Institute of New York City is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Art Institutes International LLC, a nationally recognized leader in professional career preparation, with corporate headquarters located at 210 Sixth Avenue, 33rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222. The Art Institutes International LLC is a subsidiary of Education Management Corporation, located at the same address. The Art Institutes schools offer education programs designed to meet the demands of the contemporary job market and encompass more than 150,000 alumni, a number of whom are leaders in their fields.